Ultrasound-promoted synthesis of 2-organoselanyl-naphthalenes using Oxone in aqueous medium as an oxidizing agent.

A green methodology to synthesize 2-organoselanyl-naphthalenes based on the reaction of alkynols with diaryl diselenides is described. The electrophilic species of selenium were generated in situ, by the oxidative cleavage of the Se-Se bond of diaryl diselenides by Oxone using water as the solvent. The reactions proceeded efficiently under ultrasonic irradiation as an alternative energy source, using a range of alkynols and diorganyl diselenides as starting materials.